“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8
The beautiful moments of our lives cover our hearts with comfort. These instances are like a tree planted by the water. This verse of Jeremiah resembles Isaiah 44 v 4, which says, “They shall spring up among the grass like willows by flowing streams.” Psalm 1 v 3a shares “He’s like a tree planted by the streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither.” All three verses depict a compelling image of strength produced in a dry period or region.
A content heart is one that consistently trusts the Lord. For some, this attempt is more straightforward than is done. Reading the chosen verse of Jeremiah’s 109 times could be the answer before this trust sets. And it could take a lifetime too. Down on our knees, prayers rise. While listening to well-exposited sermons, fear ceases. A quiet conversation with a friend who understands God’s words prepares us for tomorrow’s unpredictable moments. Furthermore, soaking in the lusciousness of a pretty summer morning grounds hope. Yet, as perpetual students, we can still struggle with TRUST!
With its constant ebbs and flows, life can strike down trust, which in specific circumstances we work so hard to build. Unsteady relationships, those that seem to start great then recede, then show significant signs of growth again, can develop mistrust to have one person pull away once again. The person who feels rejected may guard heart-space to an extreme. This person could want no part of the other’s words, space, or share in their being. The start line quickly comes into view again. Here at this point, we begin once more. But do the most careful behaviors of both people smack down trust? Have we considered there’s a reason someone backs away? Have we looked at our hearts to know if this heart exhibits the comfort and confidence needed by the other person? Do we find that pointing fingers is more manageable than our excavations? Have we considered personality differences?
Knowing trust in its core elements here on earth embodies the credence Jeremiah wrote about. Silence does not mean trust isn’t there. The company of a friend is vital for solid relationships. Yet, a consistent presence or accompanying is not always required to build human trust. It is imperative to establish that trust and care can remain strong even when times do not allow for in-person fellowship. A friend residing in Tennessee can be the most trusting friend I know. The friend who sits with me at church each Sunday can also become trusting.
Trusting in another offers us beautiful moments in our lives. These moments comfort the heart by identifying that the best interest concerning us comes from another. They provide respite because less caution is necessary concerning sharing life’s trials and joys. When trust is palpable, worry lessens, and God’s reassurances breathe into relationships. Theopneustos is quite apparent in these moments! In addition, when trust is near, it delivers more closeness, whereas weaknesses become strengths when benevolence and tenderness are present. Trust keeps us whole and helps us to flourish. Trust is an investment and a task of reasoning, practice, and delight. It is a gifting of accountability. It is soul-deepening!
What if we understood Jeremiah’s need to trust, like those who do not fear when heat comes? In this heat, our sureness causes our leaves, resembling our growth, to remain green, and our roots spread out to embrace more of God’s words. We understand this trust because God tells us to be confident in Him. Even from a distance, established trust will not betray. Although this trust speaks the truth, it does not blame. It is reliant and committed to dialogue. It is much more than a glimpse or a smile; like a boisterous waterfall, it pours out the finitude of life’s purity and standards. Guiding and gaining trust is transformative! It is a beginning and an ending we make our own. It is a place in our hearts we find to be a storehouse of God’s divine truth and His wisdom.
Growing together, from the inside and out!
Char
Source:
All Bible verses used in this reflection is from the English Standard Version (ESV), Bible. Crossway Publishers
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